Wall plate devices and systems

ABSTRACT

A wall plate configured to at least partially cover and/or connect to a standardized electrical box and/or components stored therein. In one implementation, the wall plate may include a substantially planar body having a front and a back. In particular, the body may be configured to at least partially cover an electrical box and/or component. In addition, the wall plate may include at least one pin extending from the back of the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body. The at least one pin may be positioned on the body to correspond with the location of a connector on a standardized electrical box or component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation application of prior U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/554,723, filed on Sep. 4, 2009, entitled“WALL PLATE DEVICES AND SYSTEMS,” the contents of the above-referencedapplication are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to building supplies. Inparticular, the present disclosure relates to wall plate devices andsystems used to cover electrical boxes and/or components.

2. Technology

Wall plates are used in a variety of residential and commercial settingsto cover electrical boxes and/or components contained therein. Forexample, a contractor may install a number of electrical boxes within abuilding during construction. Each box may contain one or morecomponents therein, such as light switches, power receptacles, wires,and/or cables. A contractor may then use a wall plate to at leastpartially cover the electrical box and/or component. In particular,conventional wall plates may connect to the electrical box and/orcomponent with one or more fasteners, such as screws. As a result, thewall plate may serve to improve the aesthetics and safety ofconstruction. However, a variety of problems may be associated with theuse of conventional wall plates.

For example, the installation, replacement, and removal of conventionalwall plates may be inefficient and time consuming due to the manuallabor required to screw and unscrew the fasteners holding the wall platein place. This time consumption and inefficiency is multiplied by thefact that a single building can include dozens, if not hundreds of wallplates, each requiring at least one fastener to connect to acorresponding electrical box or component. Furthermore, if one desiresto replace or upgrade wall plates within a building, he or she mustfirst remove the old wall plates by unscrewing the old fasteners andthen install new wall plates by screwing in the new fasteners, therebycompounding the burden of conventional wall plates. Although power toolsmay quicken this process, they do not entirely remedy the problems andinefficiencies associated with installing and/or removing wall platesusing separate fasteners.

In addition to inefficiency, conventional wall plates may be unsightly.For example, conventional wall plates may be easily damaged duringinstallation and/or removal. In particular, if a fastener isinadvertently over-tightened, it may crack the wall plate. The fastenersmay also scratch the surface of wall plate during installation.Furthermore, the use of fasteners is visible on the surface of the wallplate, thereby resulting in an unsightly finished product. Magnifyingthis is the fact that fasteners may be painted, thereby being exposed tochipping, tarnishing, wear, and/or oxidation.

Therefore, one will appreciate that a number of problems currently existwith the use of wall plates. Although attempts have been made to remedythese problems, such attempts may require the use of additional partsand may not be operable with current standardized electrical boxes andcomponents.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes building supplies that improve thespeed, efficiency, and aesthetics of the building process. Inparticular, the present disclosure includes wall plates configured toconnect to and at least partially cover electrical boxes and/orcomponents contained therein without the use of separate fasteners ortools. In a further implementation, the present disclosure includes wallplates configured for use with current standardized electrical boxes andcomponents. As a result, the present disclosure allows a user to morequickly and efficiently install, remove, or replace wall plates within abuilding without the use of fasteners, tools, or additional devices andwithout modifying or replacing currently standardized electrical boxesor components contained therein. In addition, the wall plates provide aresulting product having a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing face.

In one implementation, the present disclosure includes a wall plateconfigured to at least partially cover an electrical box and/orcomponents stored therein and configured to connect to the electricalbox or stored components without the use of separate fasteners. In oneimplementation, the wall plate may comprise a substantially planar bodyhaving a front and a back. In particular, the body may be configured toat least partially cover an electrical box and/or component. Inaddition, the wall plate may comprise at least one pin extending fromthe back of the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to theplane of the body. The at least one pin may be positioned on the body tocorrespond with the location of a connector on an electrical box orcomponent.

In a further implementation, the present disclosure includes a wallplate system comprising an electrical box, a component, and a wallplate. The electrical box may comprise a housing configured to connectto and/or at least partially contain the component. In particular, thehousing may comprise at least one connector. The component may beconfigured to connect to and be at least partially disposed within thehousing of the electrical box. The component may also comprise at leastone connector. The wall plate may comprise a substantially planar bodyhaving a front and a back. In particular, the body may be configured toat least partially cover the electrical box and/or component. Inaddition, the wall plate may comprise at least one pin extending fromthe back of the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to theplane of the body. The at least one pin may be positioned on the body tocorrespond with the location of a connector of the electrical box orcomponent.

These and other objects and features of the present disclosure willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent disclosure, a more particular description will be rendered byreference to specific implementations thereof which are disclosed in theappended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict onlyexample implementations and are therefore not to be considered limitingof its scope. The present disclosure will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A discloses a perspective view of an example wall plate system inaccordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B discloses an alternative perspective view of the example wallplate system of FIG. 1A in accordance with an implementation of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2A discloses a perspective view of an example wall plate inaccordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B discloses an alternative perspective view of the example wallplate of FIG. 2A in accordance with an implementation of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3A discloses a further example wall plate in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B discloses a cross-sectional view of the example wall plate ofFIG. 3A along the line 3B-3B.

FIGS. 4A-4C disclose an example wall plate pin in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5O disclose additional example pins in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 discloses a yet further example wall plate in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 discloses an additional example wall plate in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 discloses an example multi-gang wall plate in accordance withimplementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes building supplies that improve thespeed, efficiency, and aesthetics of the building process. Inparticular, the present disclosure includes wall plates configured toconnect to and at least partially cover electrical boxes and/orcomponents contained therein without the use of separate fasteners ortools. In addition, the wall plates may be configured for use withcurrent standardized electrical boxes and components. As a result, thepresent disclosure allows a user to more quickly and efficientlyinstall, remove, or replace wall plates within a building without theuse of fasteners, tools, or additional devices and without modifying orreplacing currently standardized electrical boxes or componentscontained therein. Furthermore, the wall plates provide a resultingproduct having a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing face.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which disclose perspectiveviews of an example wall plate system 10 in accordance with animplementation of the present disclosure. In particular, the wall platesystem 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B may include a wall plate 100, a functionaldevice 20 (as referred to herein as a component 20), and an electricalbox 50. As shown, the functional device or component 20 may connect toand be disposed within the electrical box 50. In addition, the wallplate 100 may connect to and/or at least partially cover the functionaldevice or component 20 and/or electrical box 50.

The example electrical box 50 of the wall plate system 10 may be anyelectrical box, wiring box, or gang box used to at least partiallycontain or connect to one or more components. For example, the exampleelectrical box 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B may be a single gangelectrical box configured to house a single functional device orcomponent 20, such as a light switch. In further implementations, theexample electrical box 50 may be a multi-gang electrical box, such as a2-gang box, 3-gang box, 4-gang box, and so on.

The electrical box 50 may include a housing 51 having an open face 52and a closed back 53. The housing 51 may be configured to at leastpartially contain one or more components therein. In addition, thehousing 51 may include one or more ports 54 through which one or morecomponents may pass into the housing 51. For example, in oneimplementation, a first component, such as a wire, may pass through aport 54 and connect to a second component, such as a light switch,contained within the housing 51.

The electrical box 50 may also include one or more connectors 55 a, 55 bconfigured to receive and connect to fasteners used to connect acomponent 20 or wall plate 100 to the housing 51. For example, in oneimplementation, the electrical box 50 may be a single gang box and mayinclude a first connector 55 a centrally positioned proximate the top ofthe housing 51 and a second connector 55 b centrally positionedproximate the bottom of the housing 51. The connectors 55 a, 55 b may bespaced and/or positioned to align with the corresponding holes 25 a, 25b and/or fasteners 26 of a component 20 and/or the corresponding pins110 of a wall plate 100 to be connected to the electrical box 50.Although the example electrical box 50 of FIGS. 1A-1B includes twoconnectors 55 a, 55 b, one will appreciate that the electrical box 50can include any number and configuration of connectors 55 a, 55 bnecessary to correspond with any components and/or wall plates known orused. For example, the electrical box 50 may include a single hole ormay include 3 or more holes.

The connectors 55 a, 55 b may include features or elements configured toreceive and connect to corresponding features or elements of a fastener26 or pin 110. For example, the connectors 55 a, 55 b may comprise ahole having an inner diameter substantially similar, slightly larger, orslightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fastener 26 or pin 110.In addition, the connectors 55 a, 55 b may have internal threads orprojections configured to receive the corresponding external threads orprojections of the fastener 26 or pin 110.

In one implementation, the size, shape, and configuration of theelectrical box 50 may be standardized. As used herein, “standardized” or“standard” may mean that a device is configured to conform to industrystandards for that particular type of device. For example, the size andshape of the housing 51 and the size, shape, quantity, and position ofthe connectors 55 a, 55 b may be configured in accordance with industrystandards, whether for a single-gang or multi-gang electrical box. Inparticular, the size and shape of the housing 51 and the size, shape,quantity, and position of the connectors 55 a, 55 b may configured toreceive and connect to the fasteners of an industry standard component,such as a light switch or power receptacle, or a wall plate of industrystandard size, shape, and/or configuration.

As mentioned, the example wall plate system 10 may also include afunctional device or component 20. In particular, the functional deviceor component 20 can be any of a variety of different functional deviceor components used in residential and/or commercial construction. Forexample, the functional device or component 20 may be a light switch,such as a toggle light switch, rocker switch, push button switch, dimmerswitch, other similar switches, and/or combinations of the same. Infurther implementations, the functional device or component 20 may be apower receptacle (also referred to herein as an power outlet), a phonejack, data jack, a coaxial cable such as a CATV cable, speaker wire,electrical wire, component video or audio cables, HDMI cables, othersimilar wires, cables, or devices, and/or combinations of the same.

The functional device or component 20 may also be configured to connectto the electrical box 50. For example, the functional device orcomponent 20 may include one or more holes 24 a, 24 b and/or fasteners26 for connecting the component 20 to the electrical box 50. Inparticular, the functional device or component 20 may include a firsthole 24 a centrally positioned proximate the top of the functionaldevice or component 20 and a second hole 24 b centrally positionedproximate the bottom of the functional device or component 20. The holes24 a, 24 b may be spaced and positioned to align with the correspondingconnectors 55 a, 55 b of the electrical box 50.

The functional device or component 20 may also be configured to connectto the wall plate 100. For example, the component 20 may include one ormore connectors 25 a, 25 b configured to receive and connect to the pins110 of the wall plate 100. The connectors 25 a, 25 b may includefeatures or elements configured to receive and connect to correspondingfeatures or elements of a fastener 26 or pin 110. For example, theconnectors 25 a, 25 b may comprise a hole having an inner diametersubstantially similar albeit slightly larger than the outer diameter ofthe fastener 26 or pin 110. In addition, the connectors 25 a, 25 b mayhave internal threads or projections configured to receive thecorresponding external threads or projections of the fastener 26 or pin110.

Although the example functional device or component 20 includes twoholes 24 a, 24 b and two connectors 25 a, 25 b, one will appreciate thatthe functional device or component 20 may include any number andconfiguration of holes 24 a, 24 b and connectors 25 a, 25 b necessary tocorrespond with electrical boxes and/or wall plates of differentconfigurations. For example, in further implementations, the functionaldevice or component 20 may include 1 or fewer holes 24 a, 24 b or 3 ormore holes 24 a, 24 b. In addition, the functional device or component20 may include 1 or fewer connectors 25 a, 25 b or 3 or more connectors25 a, 25 b. In a yet further embodiment, the functional device orcomponent 20 may not include any holes 24 a, 24 b, such as with acoaxial cable, phone cable, or speaker wire.

In a further implementation, the functional device or component 20 maybe standardized. For example, the size, shape, and configuration of thefunctional device or component 20 and the size, shape, quantity,position, and configuration of the holes 24 a, 24 b and connectors 25 a,25 b may be in accordance with industry standards for a particular typeof component. In particular, the functional device or component 20 maybe configured to connect to an industry standard electrical box and/orwall plate of industry standard size, shape, and configuration.

In addition to the functional device or component 20, the example wallplate system 10 may include a wall plate 100. As used herein, the term“wall plate” shall mean any wall plate, electrical cover, outlet covers,light switch plates, and/or any other plate or cover configured to atleast partially cover an electrical box, component box, wall opening,and/or corresponding wiring or components. The wall plate 100 may beconfigured to connect to and/or interface with the electrical box 50and/or component 20. In particular the wall plate 100 may include asubstantially planar body 101 having a front 101 a and a back 101 b. Thebody 101 may be of any size, shape, and configuration desired for aparticular application.

In one implementation, the body 101 may have an outer edge configured tointerface with the electrical box 50 or a surrounding surface, such as awall. For example, the body 101 may have an outer edge that curvesbackwards and is configured to abut a surface surrounding an installedelectrical box 50, such as a wall.

In one implementation, the front 101 a of the body 101 may have asubstantially smooth surface. For example, the front 101 a of the body101 may have no or a limited number of holes or projections along thesurface thereof. As a result, the front 101 a may provide a uniform andaesthetically pleasing finished surface once installed.

The back 101 b of the body 101 may have one or more elements extendingfrom the back 101 b configured to interface with and connect to anelectrical box 50 and/or component 20. For example, the body 101 mayinclude one or more pins 110 extending from the back 101 b. The pins 110may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planedefined by the body 101. The pins 110 may be positioned to correspondwith the positions of the connectors 25 a, 25 b in the component 20. Thesize and length of the pins 110 may also be configured to extend intoand interface with the connectors 25 a, 25 b of the component 20. In afurther implementation, the pins 110 may be positioned and configured todirectly interface with and insert into the connectors 55 a, 55 b of theelectrical box 50.

In one implementation, the pins 110 may comprise an elongated andsubstantially cylindrical shaft. The outside diameter of the shaft ofthe pin 110 may be substantially similar to the inner diameter of theconnectors 25 a, 25 b of the component 20 or the connectors 55 a, 55 bof the electrical box 50. The pins 110 may also be configured to connectto the connectors 25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b by at least partially resistingmovement and/or removal once they have inserted into the connectors 25a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b. In addition, the length, shape, and outer diameterof the pin 110 may be configured to provide the desired connection witha connector 25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b.

In a further implementation, a pin 110 may have one or more projections(i.e., 411 a, 411 b, FIG. 4A) extending from a surface thereof. Theprojections may be configured to apply force or friction to the innersurface or other elements or features of the connectors 25 a, 25 b, 55a, 55 b thereby resisting movement between the pin 110 and a connector25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b into which the pin 110 is inserted. As a result,the wall plate 100 may be connected to a component 20 or electrical box50 by inserting the pins 110 into the connectors 25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 bwithout the need for separate fasteners, such as screws.

As mentioned above, the connectors 25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b of thecomponent 20 and/or electrical box 50 may have internal threadsconfigured to receive a fastener, such as a screw. Accordingly, the pin110 may include one or more projections configured to interface with theinternal threads of the connectors 25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b of thecomponent 20 or electrical box 50 in order to resist relative movementbetween the pins 110 and the connectors 25 a, 25 b, 55 a, 55 b, therebyresisting movement of the wall plate 100 once installed. For example,the projections may include flanges, barbs, teeth, threads, ridges,bumps, other similar features, and/or combinations of the same extendingfrom a surface thereof. In one implementation, one or more projectionsmay be disposed at localized positions on the pin 110. In a furtherimplementation, one or more projections may extend annularly around thepin 110.

In a further implementation, the pin 110 may be split along the lengththereof, thereby defining a plurality of prongs (i.e., 513 a, FIG. 5A).For example, the pin 110 may include a single longitudinal slot defininga pair of prongs, with one prong on each side of the slot. In a furtherimplementation, the pin 110 may include a plurality of slots and agreater number of prongs. For example, the pin 110 may include three,four, five, or more prongs, with corresponding slots therebetween.

In a further implementation, the prongs may also be configured toelastically flex inward from a first position as the pin 110 is insertedinto a connector and then return toward the first position after theprongs pass through the connector. Accordingly, the elastic flex of theprongs may facilitate the insertion of the pins 110 into the connectorsand the resistance to movement once the pin 110 is inserted.

In one implementation, each prong may extend in generally the samedirection, being substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of thepin 110. In a further implementation, one or more prongs may extend in adirection angled away from the longitudinal axis of the pin 110. Theangled configuration of the prongs may assist in resisting removal ofthe pin 110 from a connector once the pin 110 is inserted. In a furtherimplementation, each prong may include one or more projections extendingfrom a surface thereof.

In a further implementation, the body 101 of the wall plate 100 mayinclude one or more apertures 105 configured to provide access to thecomponent 20 or electrical box 50. The one or more apertures 105 mayhave any shape and configuration necessary to correspond with aparticular component or components. For example, the one or moreapertures 105 can be substantially rectangular, circular, polygonal,octagonal, square, oval, other similar shapes, and/or combinations ofthe same. In one implementation, the wall plate 100 may include anaperture 105 configured in shape and position to provide access to alight switch, such as a toggle switch, in order to allow a user tooperate the light switch. In a further implementation, the wall plate100 may include one or more apertures 105 configured to provide accessto a power receptacle and/or other component.

In one implementation the pins 110 may be integral with the body 101 ofthe wall plate 100. As used herein, “integral with” may mean that thepins 110 are formed as one structure with the body 101. For example, thepins 110 may be molded together with the body 100. In a furtherimplementation, the pins 110 may be formed separately and then coupledto the body 101 of the wall plate 100 prior to or after distribution. Inparticular, the back 101 a of the body 101 may include one or moregrooves (i.e., 302, FIGS. 3A-3B) configured to receive the separatelymanufactured pins 110. As used herein, the term “groove” may include anyrecess, cavity, channel, niche, notch, void, depression, opening, slot,and/or other similar elements.

The pins 110 and/or body 101 of the wall plate 100 may include any of anumber of different materials. In one implementation, the body 101and/or pin 110 may be formed using one or more plastic materials orelastomeric materials. In further implementations, the body 101 and/orpins 110 may be formed using metals, polymers, polyethylene,polypropylene, PVC, rubber, other similar materials, and/or combinationsof the same. In a yet further implementation, the materials used for thepins 110 may be different than the materials used for the body 101. Thematerials used for the pins 110 and/or body 101 may be rigid,semi-rigid, or flexible.

The wall plate 100 may be configured to correspond with the size and/orshape of a standardized electrical box and/or the size and/or shape ofstandardized components. In further implementations, however, the sizeand/or shape of the wall plate 100 may be configured to correspond withany desired size and shape. Although the wall plate 100 is shown havinga single aperture 105, the number, size and/or shape of the apertures105 may be modified to correspond with any desired configuration. Forexample, the wall plate 100 may be configured to operate in conjunctionwith multiple components 20 and/or a multi-gang electrical box 50. Inparticular, the wall plate 100 may include apertures 105 configured tooperate in conjunction with any number or combination of toggle lightswitches, rocker light switches, power receptacles, phone jacks, CATVcables, speaker wiring, and/or other similar components.

In addition, the color of the wall plate 100 may vary as desired for aparticular configuration. In particular the wall plate 100 may includeany color desired to correspond with paint colors, trim colors,component colors, and/or other colors used or desired in a buildingwhere the wall plate 100 is going to be installed. In a furtherimplementation, the wall plate 100 may include a light source, such asglow-in-the-dark materials, LEDs, and/or other similar light sources.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the wall plate 100 may include two pins 110.However, in further implementations, the wall plate 100 may include lessor more pins 110 as necessary to be connected to a component 20 and/orelectrical box 50. For example, the wall plate 100 may include as few asone pin 110 and as many as ten or more pins 110. The pins 110 may beconfigured to insert into a connector 25 a, 25 b of the component 20itself or, in a further implementation, may be configured and positionedto insert directly into a connector 55 a, 55 b of the electrical box 50.The pins 110 may be configured to resist inadvertent movement betweenthe plate and the component 20 or electrical box 50 but may also beconfigured to allow sufficient relative movement for installation,removal, and reinstallation of the wall plate 100.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A-2B, which disclose a further examplewall plate 200 in accordance with the present disclosure. The wall plate200 of FIGS. 2A-2B may be similar to the example wall plate 100previously described above and shown in FIGS. 1A-1B in most respects.Like structures and/or components may be given like reference numerals.

In particular, FIGS. 2A and 2B disclose a wall plate 200 having pins 210formed as an integral part of the wall plate 200. As shown, the wallplate 200 may include a substantially planar body 201 with a smoothfront 201 a and one or more pins 210 extending from its back 201 b. Thebody 201 may also include one or more apertures 205 configured toprovide access to a component (i.e., 20, FIGS. 1A-1B).

As shown, the pins 210 may be formed as an integral part of the body 201of the wall plate 200. In one implementation, the pins 210 may includereinforcement providing strength to the pins 210 themselves. In afurther implementation, the reinforcement of the pins 210 may extendinto the body 201 thereby reinforcing the connection between the pins210 and the body 201. In one example, the reinforcement may includewire, mesh, fibers, other similar reinforcement elements, and/orcombinations of the same.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A-3B, which disclose an additionalexample wall plate 300 in accordance with an implementation of thepresent disclosure. The wall plate 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B may be similar tothe example wall plates 100, 200 previously described above and shown inFIGS. 1-2 in most respects. Like structures and/or components may begiven like reference numerals.

In particular, the wall plate 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B may include asubstantially planar body 301 and a plurality of pins 310 coupledthereto. For example, the body 301 may include a front surface 301 a, aback surface 301 b, and one or more grooves 302 on the back surface 301b that are configured to receive, support, and/or hold a pin 310. Inaddition, each pin 310 may include a base portion 312 configured toinsert into and be secured by the grooves 302 of the body 301. Oncereceived into the one or more grooves 302, the pin 310 may betemporarily or permanently coupled to the body 301 of the wall plate300. For example, the pin 310 may be attached to the body 301 usingadhesives, clips, welding, friction, other similar devices, and/orcombinations of the same. The wall plate 300 may also include an opening305 to provide access to a functional device, such as a conventionallight switch.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross sectional view of the wall plate 300 of FIG.3A along the line 3B-3B. As shown, in one implementation, the height,width and length of the base portion 312 of the pin 310 may beconfigured to correspond with the size, shape and separation of thegrooves 302 of the body 301. Although the wall plate 300 is shown inFIGS. 3A-3B having a pair of grooves 302 for each pin 310, in a furtherimplementation, the wall plate 300 may include a single groove 302 foreach pin 310. Furthermore, although the grooves 302 of FIG. 3A-3B areelongated in shape, in further implementations, the size and/or shape ofthe grooves 302 may be altered to correspond with any desiredconfiguration. In one example, the wall plate 300 may include a singleU-shaped groove configured to receive and retain the base portion 312 ofa pin 310.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4C, which illustrate an example pin410 in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Inparticular, FIG. 4A discloses a perspective view of the example pin 410,FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the pin 410, and FIG. 4C illustratesa top view of the pin 410. The pin 410 of FIGS. 4A-4C may be similar tothe example pins 110, 210, 310 previously described above and shown inFIGS. 1-3 in most respects. Like structures and/or components may begiven like reference numerals.

As shown, the pin 410 may be elongated and substantially cylindrical inshape with a beveled head. The pin 410 may include a plurality ofprojections 411 a, 411 b extending from a lateral surface or surfacesthereof. In particular, the pin 410 may include a plurality of upwardlyangled, tooth-like projections 411 a and a plurality of downwardlyangled, tooth-like projections 411 b. The pin 410 may also include abase portion 412 configured to insert into and be retained within one ormore grooves (i.e., 302, FIGS. 3A-3B).

The projections 411 a, 411 b may be configured to provide resistance tomovement between the pin 410 and a component or electrical box onceinserted into the connector (i.e., 25, 55, FIGS. 1A-1B) of an electricalbox or component. The pin 410 and/or projections 411 a, 411 b may alsobe configured to allow sufficient movement for the pin 410 to be removedand reinserted as desired in order to uninstall and/or reinstall acorresponding wall plate. The shape, contour, angle, and position of thepin 410 and the projections 411 a, 411 b may be selected to provide adesired securement, movement resistance, ease of installation, ease ofremoval, and/or other desired characteristics.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5O, which illustrate further examplepins 510 in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.The pins 510 of FIGS. 5A-5O may be similar to the example pins 110, 210,310, 410 previously described above and shown in FIGS. 1-4 in mostrespects. Like structures and/or components may be given like referencenumerals.

For example, FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of a bifurcated pin510 a, 510 b. In one implementation, the example bifurcated pin 510 a,510 b may have projections 511 a, 511 b extending from a surface thereofproximate the head of the pin 510 a, 510 b thereby providing an enlargedhead relative to another portion of the pin 510 a, 510 b. In a furtherimplementation, the example bifurcated pin may have a plurality ofprongs 513 a, 513 b. The prongs 513 a may be angled away from thelongitudinal axis of the pin 510 a, as shown in FIG. 5A, or the prongsmay be substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pin 510b, as shown in FIG. 5B.

FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate a further example bifurcated pin 510 c, 510 dhaving a plurality of prongs 513 c, 513 d. In one implementation, eachprong 513 c, 513 d may include one or more barb- or flange-likeprojections 511 c, 511 d disposed along the length thereof. In a furtherimplementation, each prong 513 c, 513 d may have a pointed or beveledhead. The prongs 513 c may be angled away from the longitudinal axis ofthe pin 510 c, as shown in FIG. 5C, or the prongs 513 d may besubstantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pin 510 d, asshown in FIG. 5D.

FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate another example bifurcated pin 510 e, 510 fhaving a plurality of prongs 513 e, 513 f. In one implementation, eachprong 513 e, 513 f of the bifurcated pin 510 e, 510 f may have aplurality of tooth-like or angular projections 511 e, 511 f disposedalong the length thereof. In a further implementation, each prong 513 e,513 f may have a pointed or beveled head. The prongs 513 e may be angledaway from the longitudinal axis of the pin 510 e, as shown in FIG. 5E,or the prongs 513 f may be substantially parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the pin 510 f, as shown in FIG. 5F.

FIGS. 5G and 5H illustrate a yet further example bifurcated pin 510 g,510 h having a plurality of prongs 513 g, 513 h. In addition, the pin510 g, 510 h may have a beveled head and corresponding ridge-likeprojections 511 g, 511 h disposed proximate the head and extending atleast partially around the prongs 513 g, 513 h. The prongs 513 g may beangled away from the longitudinal axis of the pin 510 g, as shown inFIG. 5G, or the prongs 513 h may be substantially parallel with thelongitudinal axis of the pin 510 h, as shown in FIG. 5H.

FIGS. 5I and 5J illustrate an additional example bifurcated pin 510 i,510 j having a plurality of prongs 513 i, 513 j. In one implementation,the pin 510 i, 510 j may have a plurality of rounded projections 511 i,511 j, such as rounded teeth, bumps, or ridges, disposed along thelength thereof. The prongs 513 i may be angled away from thelongitudinal axis of the pin 510 i, as shown in FIG. 5I, or the prongs513 j may be substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of thepin 510 j, as shown in FIG. 5J.

FIGS. 5K-5O illustrate example pins that are not bifurcated. Forexample, FIG. 5K illustrates an example pin 510 k having a plurality ofbump-like or hemispherical projections 511 k disposed along the lengththereof. FIG. 5L illustrates a further example pin 510 l having aplurality of angular, ridge-like projections 511 l extending around andalong the length thereof. FIG. 5M illustrates an additional example pin510 m having a plurality of barb-like projections 511 m disposed aroundand along the length of the pin 510 m. FIG. 5N illustrates a yet furtherexample pin 510 n having a plurality of rounded, ridge-like projections511 n extending around and along the length thereof. FIG. 5O illustratesanother example pin 510 o having threaded projections 511 o extendinghelically around and along the length of the pin 510 o.

The teachings of the present disclosure may be extended to anyconfiguration of wall plate known in the art. For example, reference isnow made to FIGS. 6-8 which disclosure further example wall plates 600,700, 800 in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure.The wall plates 600, 700, 800 of these configurations may be similar tothe wall plates 100, 200, 300 disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 and described inmore detail above in most respects, wherein certain features will not bedescribed in relation to these configurations wherein those componentsmay function in the manner as described above and are herebyincorporated into these additional configurations described herein. Likestructures and/or components may be given like reference numerals.

In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates a wall plate 600 having a body 601, anaperture 605, and pins 610 configured to correspond with and connect toa rocker light switch component. FIG. 7 illustrates an example wallplate 700 having a body 701, a plurality of apertures 705, and a singlepin 710 configured to correspond with and connect to a standard powerreceptacle component. FIG. 8 discloses one example of a multi-gang wallplate 800. In particular, the wall plate 800 may include a body 801, aplurality of apertures 805 and a plurality of pins 810 configured tointerface with and connect to a plurality of toggle light switches.

Implementations of the present disclosure may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics of the present disclosure. The described embodiments areto be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall plate system comprising: an electricalbox; at least one functional device configured to fasten to theelectrical box; at least one threaded screw hole disposed on the atleast one functional device and configured to accept screws; and a wallplate configured to be secured to the functional device, wherein: thewall plate having a planar front surface and a planar back surface, thewall plate being configured to at least partially cover one or more ofthe electrical box and the functional device, and the wall plate has atleast one pin extending from the back surface, the at least one pinbeing sized and configured to be received within the at least onethreaded screw hole of the functional device; the at least one pin has aplurality of flexible projections extending outward from a longitudinalaxis thereof, at least two flexible projections of the plurality offlexible projections are longitudinally spaced along the longitudinalaxis from each other, and the plurality of flexible projections areconfigured to interface with internal threads of at least one threadedscrew hole and resist relative movement between the at least one pin andthe threaded screw hole; and wherein the plurality of flexibleprojections comprise: projections angled toward the back surface of thewall plate; and projections angled away from the back surface of thewall plate.
 2. The wall plate system as recited in claim 1, wherein thefunctional device comprises one or more of a switch and an outlet. 3.The wall plate system as recited in claim 1, further comprising one ormore apertures extending through the wall plate, the one or moreapertures being configured to provide access to the functional device.4. The wall plate system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least onepin is integral with the wall plate.
 5. A wall plate configured toconnect to a standardized electrical box or a functional device, thewall plate comprising: a body having a planar front surface and a planarback surface; at least one pin extending from the back surface of thebody; and a plurality of flexible projections disposed along the atleast one pin, wherein: the plurality of flexible projections extendannularly around at least a portion of the at least one pin, theplurality of flexible projections comprise projections angled toward theback surface of the wall plate and projections angled away from the backsurface of the wall plate, and the plurality of flexible projections aresized and configured to interface with internal threads of a threadedscrew hole on the standardized electrical box or the functional deviceand resist relative movement between said at least one pin and thethreaded screw hole.
 6. The wall plate as recited in claim 5, whereinthe plurality of flexible projections extend annularly around only aportion of the at least one pin.
 7. The wall plate as recited in claim6, wherein: the plurality of flexible projections comprise rows ofprojections longitudinally spaced along a length of the at least onepin; and each row of projections includes at least one projection angledtoward the back surface of the wall plate and at least one projectionangled away from the back surface of the wall plate.
 8. The wall plateas recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one pin is integral with thewall plate.
 9. The wall plate as recited in claim 8, wherein theplurality of flexible projections comprise tooth-like projections.